tray

noun

ˈtrā 

: an open receptacle with a flat bottom and a low rim for holding, carrying, or exhibiting articles

trayful

ˈtrā-ˌfu̇l 

noun

Examples of tray in a Sentence

She carried the tray of food to our table.

a car with several storage trays

Recent Examples on the Web

The Lunar is a compact scale that fits under just about any espresso maker and on any drip tray. —Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Mar. 2026

Twin Pines has been that kind of wheel for East Haven, a 24-hour fixture on Main Street where the locals know their servers by name and the dessert tray never stops rotating. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026

This console table’s top shelf is great for lamps, picture frames, and catchall trays, while the bottom is ideal for storage baskets or shoes, depending on your needs. —Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026

The PureGuardian humidifier also has an aromatherapy tray for your favorite essential oils. —Claire Peltier, ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English trīg, trēg; akin to Old Swedish trø wooden grain measure and probably to Old English trēow tree — more at tree entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tray

• baking tray
• in tray
• litter tray
• out tray
• tea tray

Rhymes for tray

• ay
• bay
• bey
• brae
• cay
• chez
• dey
• dray
• fay
• fey
• flay
• fray

Kids Definition

tray

noun

ˈtrā 

: an open container with flat bottom and low rim for holding, carrying, or exhibiting articles

trayful

-ˌfu̇l 

noun

Medical Definition

tray

noun

ˈtrā 

: an appliance consisting of a flanged body and a handle for use in holding plastic material against the gums or teeth in making negative impressions for dentures